Agitator



Jan. 31, 1939.'

w. C. KNAPP AGITATOR n 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. Y, 1938 C. //g/Ueanm omeys .11111.31,'1939.`r` l W4 C. KNAFP y 2,145,768

AGITATOR Filed Feb. 7, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 31, 1939 PATENT OFFICE AGITATOR William C. Knapp, Columbia, Pa. Application February 7, 1938, Serial No. 189,249

1 Claim.

n This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in agitators in the form of a drum for use in washing, cleaning or drying material.

The principal object 4of the present invention is to provide an agitating drum wherein material is treated by a lifting and dropping action.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a material treating drum which will in operation reduce the time interval required in treating material over the use of machines now generally in use.

Other importantobjects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:-

, Figure 1 represents a fragmentary vertical secf tional view through a tub showing the improved drum mounted therein.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view on the line 2*-2 of'Figure 1.

f Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the drum.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the ribs.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the drum rconstructed of sheet metal.

Figure 6 is a cross section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen in Figure v1 that numeral 5 represents the tub with the top 6, while numeral 1 generally refers to the I drum mounted on pintles 8-8 in the tub 5.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, this drum 'I includes the end Walls 9, the type of drum shown jin Figures 1, 2 and 3 is of wood and has the perforated side walls I--I0 each extending for approximately ninety degrees around the' drum vwith the intervening spaces taken up by the lifts II-I2 and the doors I3-I4.

- The lifts II-I2 extend inwardly of the drum and are on spaced parallel planes with respect to each other and on opposite sides of a line drawn diametrically through the drum.

rAt one end portion of each of the walls I0 is located a rib I having suitable fastening means I6 thereon complementary with means on the corresponding doors I3 or I 4 for securing the door in place and these doors I3-I4 are hingedly secured to cleats I6 which, in turn, are suitably y secured to the inner edges of the lifts II-IZ as shown in Figure 2.

Strengthening ribs II extend longitudinally of thedrum as is clearly shown in Figure 2.

Obviously, the drum traveling in the direction ofthe arrow in Figure 2 will lift material in the drum upwardly on the corresponding lift II or 'v I 2 and when the material has been lifted to the top drum it slides off and drops to the bottom of the drum, this dropping action is a substitute for the pounding and jarring action of other types of drums, the same being much more gentle to the material while being just as effective and as 5 will be observed, this dropping action occurs twice during each revolution of the drum with the material falling through a space, the entire height of the drum.

Figures 5 and 6 represent a slight modification 10 of the invention in that the drum is constructed of the sheet metal cylinder I8 connecting the end walls I9', this cylinder I8 being perforated and having an opening permitting access to the interior which is normally closed by the slide closure I9 slidable on the guide rails 20.

The cylinder I8 is preferably constructed in sections with the ends of the sections spaced as at 2I but connected together by inwardly disposed perforated channeled ribs 22 which serve 20 to strengthen the cylinder.

'I'he perforated lifts 23-24 are also of sheet metal, being reinforced by channeled cleats 25 at their free edge portions and being secured at their attached edge portions by cleats 26 to the inside 2 of the cylinder I8.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing 30 from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new isz- An agitator comprising a cylindrical structure mounted for rotation within a solution of a container and including a cylindrical wall and end walls of solid formation, said cylindrical wall being composed of pairs of perforated arcuately curved sections and a pair of inwardly extending perforated lift plates abutting said sections at the outer ends thereof, perforated doors extendlng angularly to said lift plates, cleats extending longitudinally of the cylindrical structure and mounted on the end walls and having notches to receive the inner ends of the lift plates and having said doors hinged thereon, ribs extending longitudinally of the cylindrical structure between the end walls and abutting the perforated sections and providing stops for the doors, fasteners detachably securing the doors on the stops, and ribs extending longitudinally of the cylindrical structure and arranged between and in abutting engagement with the sections of each pair of sections and projecting 4beyond the inner faces of 55 said sections.

WILLIAM C. KNAPP. 

